In GIRK4 homo-tetramers, Na+ binding increases Gbg affinity and responsiveness to G protein stimulation, whereas GIRK1/4 hetero-tetramers are not activated by Na+ but remain in a permanent state of high responsiveness to Gbg.
The GIRK1 subunit in cardiac pacemaker cells maintains GIRK1/4 hetero-tetramers in a permanent state of high responsiveness to G protein stimulation, functioning like a GIRK4 subunit with Na(+) permanently bound.
G protein gated inward rectifier potassium (GIRK) channels are gated by direct binding of G protein beta-gamma subunits (Gβγ), signaling lipids, and intracellular Na(+). In cardiac pacemaker cells, hetero-tetramer GIRK1/4 channels and homo-tetramer GIRK4 channels play a central role in parasympathetic slowing of heart rate. It is known that the Na(+) binding site of the GIRK1 subunit is defective, but the functional difference between GIRK1/4 hetero-tetramers and GIRK4 homo-tetramers remains unclear. Here, using purified proteins and the lipid bilayer system, we characterize Gβγ and Na(+) regulation of GIRK1/4 hetero-tetramers and GIRK4 homo-tetramers. We find in GIRK4 homo-tetramers that Na(+) binding increases Gβγ affinity and thereby increases the GIRK4 responsiveness to G protein stimulation. GIRK1/4 hetero-tetramers are not activated by Na(+), but rather are in a permanent state of high responsiveness to Gβγ, suggesting that the GIRK1 subunit functions like a GIRK4 subunit with Na(+) permanently bound.
Touhara et al. (Tue,) reported a other. Intracellular Na+ and G protein beta-gamma subunits (Gbg) was evaluated on GIRK channel activation and responsiveness. In GIRK4 homo-tetramers, Na+ binding increases Gbg affinity and responsiveness to G protein stimulation, whereas GIRK1/4 hetero-tetramers are not activated by Na+ but remain in a permanent state of high responsiveness to Gbg.